Why Are Fleas Bad for Your Cat?
In Malaysia where our country Is hot and humid, your cat will need your help because this is when cat fleas like to settle on. They love warm environments and your cat's skin is the perfect home for them.
Don't wait for your cat to itch and scratch from cat flea bites. Be proactive and take action to prevent flea eggs on cats. Flea bites are itchy and irritating. A cat that keeps on scratching can break its skin which can potentially lead to infection. More than an itchy nuisance, these parasites feed on your feline’s blood and can eventually lead to weakness and anemia. At their worst, fleas can transmit a tapeworm infection which is challenging to deal with.
How Does Your Cat Catch Fleas?
Cats can catch fleas if they come into contact with another infested animal. It’s easy for them to jump between animals and eventually find their way into your home. While the likelihood of catching fleas is higher with pets who spend a lot of time outdoors or come from shelters, they can also infest pets who remain inside the house.
Indoor cats are also susceptible to fleas because they can catch it from other pets and people, rodents, and even from visiting the vet.
A couple of cat fleas is easy to handle, but these creatures have superb hiding skills. By the time you spot the fleas, there’s a good chance they’ve already multiplied and caused a massive infestation.
How To Prevent Cat Fleas?
Several decades ago, the options for killing fleas were limited, toxic, and ineffective. In today's world, there are numerous options for prescription or over-the-counter medications.
Before selecting a flea preventive for your cat, consult with your veterinarian, who can advise you on what is best for your cat.
1. Use a Flea Barrier
Among these options, we prefer spot treatments like Frontline, Advantage, or Revolution, which can be purchased directly from your veterinarian and are more effective. Once you’ve applied the cream to your cat’s skin, it protects them from fleas. Spot treatments can also kill ticks and lice, prevent heartworms, controls roundworms, hookworms and ear mites.
Another popular flea barrier you can use are flea collars for cats. The plastic strips are made with plastic resin infused with insecticide. They can protect your cat for up to a year. Avoid collars that contain essential oils; some essential oils can be toxic to cats.
2. Oral Flea Control
If your cat is allergic to topical flea preventives, your veterinarian may also prescribe oral flea control pills. Oral flea control products, also known as "flea pills," are given to your cat by mouth to kill fleas. Some oral flea control products kill fleas for up to a month; others must be administered more frequently, up to once a day, to continue killing fleas.
3. De-Flea your Home
Did you know that a female flea lays 50 eggs a day? Furthermore, eggs can settle on your couch, carpet, and comforter so don't allow them to hatch and multiply.
Vacuum your home everyday including the crevices, cracks, and small hidden spots on your floors and walls. Change your linens, sofa covers, beddings, and covers at least once a week. Wash them with hot water so no fleas survive the cycle.
4. Check for Fleas
As you can see, dealing with fleas that have been allowed to multiply and take over entails a lot more work than preventive measures in the first place. Regularly check for fleas so that you can catch any potential infestations early on. Overall, prevention is a massive advantage for cats and yourself. Keeping your cat free from fleas is not just in your cat’s best interest but yours as well.